Every week, the Castalia House Blog spotlights some of the many new releases in independent, pulp, and web novel-influenced science fiction and fantasy.

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Echoes of Extinction (The Voidwalker Chronicles #1) – Sean Robins

One man must lead the charge in the name of humanity.

Major Ethan Irons thought surviving Earth’s near-extinction event was the pinnacle of disaster, but when the remnants of humanity are catapulted into a galactic conflict beyond their wildest nightmares, he’s plunged into an unimaginable odyssey.

Armed with nothing but his wits, a sardonic AI companion, and unlikely alliances with enigmatic alien species, he must navigate the treacherous waters of intergalactic politics and warfare.

Can Ethan and his ragtag band of survivors rekindle the flame of hope for humanity?

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Fight. Level. Survive. – Xrmaze

Stuck in a new world. Surrounded by monsters. It’s time to Fight, Level, and Survive.

When Mason wakes up naked and alone in a whole new world, everything changes. Lying there with blades of blue grass stabbing him in his ass, he has no idea just how chaotic his life is about to become.

His new world is crammed full of monsters, magic, and worse. But first things first. He’s arrived buck-naked in a strange land—should he pick a weapon or clothes first?

That’s just step one. After that, it’ll take his wits, charm, a ton of luck, and a heavy dose of sarcasm to ensure his survival as he levels up and learns to thrive.

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Galactic Titan III – Miles Rozak

Sometimes you don’t get what you par for… when bending spacetime pays for itself.

Like most people, Captain Gage thought time was linear. One thing after the next. Well, that’s how it felt.

Until spacetime nearby turned into a loop.

His Commonwealth? Sold out by bribery and corruption. His task force? Disbanded… now lost or dead. If history’s fixed, what options are left?

One thing about cycles – they’re made to be broken.

So that’s what Gage is going to do next.

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Interstellar Pawn (Through Steel and Stars #1) – Dawn Chapman

Betrayed by blood. Bound by destiny.

In a world where family secrets unravel and identities shatter, Troy’s life takes an unexpected turn. His home is no longer a sanctuary, and his family’s truths are nothing but a web of lies. Cast adrift with only a battered ship, a cryptic name, and a distant destination, Troy embarks on a perilous journey to unravel the mysteries of his past.

Taking quests from unlikely allies, and with enemies lurking in every shadow, Troy must learn to pilot not just his ship but to rule his own fate. Confronting his future head-on—it’s clear there’s only one option—he will become the most powerful entity in the universe… or he will die in the attempt.

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Mark of the Fool #9 – J. M. Clarke

As the enemy escalates, it’s time for Alex to free himself of his limitations once and for all.

The Mark of the Fool.

A ‘gift’ from Uldar that enhances the bearer’s ability to learn any skill, but—in return—one cannot practise magic, engage in combat or use divinity at all. Alex Roth, the latest Fool, has found ways around his limitations.

Now, however, he has hit a wall.

To master the most powerful spells, Alex discovers that the Mark can no longer be worked around. It must be removed…or transformed. Luckily, The Fool of The Traveller’s cycle had laid down the groundwork to transform the Mark of the Fool, but her notes and equipment are hidden away in her sanctum somewhere in the far north.

If Alex wants to be truly free, he must find it.

And time is running out.

The Ravener continues to escalate and the hidden church hunts him relentlessly.

Will he transform the Mark in time and unleash his true potential or will his enemies find him first? In either case, their confrontation will be a mighty reckoning.

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New Life (The Survivors #24) – Nathan Hystad

Cities all around the world reported strange alien vessels descending. Some saw them as the heralds of a new age; others fired everything they had at them. All were taken as the beams lashed down and drew them into the sky.

Dean was left behind, seemingly the last man on Earth.

A trail of clues left by his dead wife guide Dean on a perilous journey across America and beyond, to learn the truth behind the mysterious ships and save humanity from its doom.

But not everything is as it seems.

It’s time for celebration.

Dean Parker has gone through countless trials and tribulations over the years, but nothing has prepared him for the next chapter… being a grandfather.

Jules is content to spend her days as a new mom, but something seems off. The Universe keeps sending messages that a balance must be upheld. One thing is created, another is destroyed. Can she stop it before someone she loves is lost forever?

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The Complete Mongoose and Meerkat – a Kickstarter campaign from Cirsova

He’s a brash young bravo, eager to prove his worth with a blade. She’s a mysterious rogue with a head for history and razor cunning. Together, they are the Mongoose and Meerkat!

Whether they’re looting haunted dungeons, fighting demons and necromancers, or just settling labor disputes, this swashbuckling duo is ready for anything! Mangos would love nothing more than to earn a name for himself and keep himself comfortably in coin. Kat, however, has more far-reaching plans for her wealth.

The City State of Alness has fallen to a band of mercenaries and brigands who have ravaged the north lands. Amidst the rumors that an Alnessi royal may have survived, the Mongoose and Meerkat must navigate all manner of intrigue and betrayal to win the fame and fortune necessary to restore the once-mighty city.

Originally serialized in 18 installments from 2017 through 2023 in Cirsova Magazine, Jim Breyfogle’s Mongoose and Meerkat became one of the iconic Sword & Sorcery teams of the Pulp Revolution. Now, you can have all of their adventures in a single gorgeous volume!